DLoup
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: error code -8072

I cannot empty my trash. The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8072).

Does anybody have an idea what this error code stands for? Or even better, how to fix this issue?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 13, 2016 1:46 PM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (207,931 points)
Applications
A:

Please select the text on the line below by dragging across it. Don't include the blank space at the end of the line. Only the text should be highlighted.

ls -@Odeln

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

Launch the Terminal application in any one of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad and start typing the name.

Paste into the Terminal window by pressing command-V, then press the space bar.

Now switch to the Finder and and select the item(s) in the Trash. Drag into the Terminal window. More text will be added to what you entered.

Click in the Terminal window to activate it, then press return.

Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign ($) to appear. Post any lines that appear below that line—the text, please, not a screenshot. You can then quit Terminal.

If any personal information appears in the output, anonymize before posting.

Posted on Jul 13, 2016 5:06 PM

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DLoup

Q: error code -8072

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Jul 13, 2016 1:57 PM in response to DLoup
    Level 5 (7,127 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 13, 2016 1:57 PM in response to DLoup

    shut down

    disconnect your external devices

    reboot into safe mode

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

    verify your hard drive with disk utility

    Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks - Apple Support

    then empty trash

     

    shut down and reconnect devices and boot normally.

    if the problem persists check your system with AHT

    Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 13, 2016 5:06 PM in response to DLoup
    Level 10 (207,931 points)
    Applications
    Jul 13, 2016 5:06 PM in response to DLoup

    Please select the text on the line below by dragging across it. Don't include the blank space at the end of the line. Only the text should be highlighted.

    ls -@Odeln

    Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

    Launch the Terminal application in any one of the following ways:

    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

    ☞ Open LaunchPad and start typing the name.

    Paste into the Terminal window by pressing command-V, then press the space bar.

    Now switch to the Finder and and select the item(s) in the Trash. Drag into the Terminal window. More text will be added to what you entered.

    Click in the Terminal window to activate it, then press return.

    Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign ($) to appear. Post any lines that appear below that line—the text, please, not a screenshot. You can then quit Terminal.

    If any personal information appears in the output, anonymize before posting.

  • by DLoup,

    DLoup DLoup Jul 14, 2016 1:20 PM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 14, 2016 1:20 PM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    Now I'm slightly confused here ... tried the safe mode and then the disk utility. Nothing changed.

    Additional info --> I tried to delete my old back up in Time Machine on external harddisk, half way through my Macbook shut down due to low battery. When I disconnect the external device, the trash can is empty. When I connect, the back up folder appears in trash can (but not on the ext. harddisk), & when I try to delete it (about 500 GB of data) error code -8072 appears.

  • by DLoup,

    DLoup DLoup Jul 15, 2016 6:08 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 15, 2016 6:08 AM in response to Linc Davis

    This worked!

    Thank you so much.